President Trump has evolved in his time in politics to be quite positive toward Russia and its president, and he expressed hope of a personal friendship with Vladimir Putin on the eve of his summit this week. “He’s not my enemy. And hopefully, someday, maybe he’ll be a friend. It could happen,” the president told reporters in Brussels.
But according to most surveys, the American public isn’t as positive toward Russia, and their views overall haven’t thawed much since Trump began his presidential run. Trump’s fellow Republicans though, have shifted to be more favorable toward Russia and its leader in the time before Trump’s presidential run. CONT.
Emily Guskin, Washington Post